RCB hope their stars can shine
Bangalore, April 16
The middle-order's tendency to collapse and the lack of fifth bowler are the two areas of concerns for Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of their Indian Premier League match against Pune Warriors here tomorrow.
After the win against Delhi Daredevils, things haven't been going quite well for RCB skipper Daniel Vettori as his team lost three matches in a row.
The Kiwi is yet to find a pill which could get rid of his headache of filling up the fifth bowler's slot.

Virat Kohli will have to lift his game as the Royal Challengers Bangalore look to return to winning ways.

Rajasthan start favourites against Deccan Chargers
Jaipur, April 16
Back on home turf after a comprehensive victory in their previous match, Rajasthan Royals would start firm favourites when they take on the struggling Deccan Chargers in an IPL match here
tomorrow.

Daredevils steamroll hapless MumbaiMumbai, April 16Delhi Daredevils shot to the top of the table with a really comfortable seven-wicket win against Mumbai Indians in their Indian Premier League clash at the Wankhede Stadium tonight. Chasing a paltry 93 for a win, Delhi went about their business with ease as Virender Sehwag scored 32 and Mahela Jayawardene got to 17.

Delhi Daredevils celebrate the dismissal of Mumbai Indians’ Richard Levi during their match in Mumbai on Monday. Daredevils won by 7 wickets. — PTI

We have the balance,
ability to win: Sangakkara
Jaipur,
April 16
Deccan Chargers skipper Kumar Sangakkara says it requires "exceptional
skill" to execute the switch-hit and he is certain that the much
talked-about controversial shot will soon be up for discussion in the ICC
meetings. "I feel it requires exceptional skill to play and perfect that
shot. It is not Kevin Petersen of England but many others too who play the
switch-hit. "Remember David Warner also played such shot against the Indians. It needs a lot of skill to play that but I am sure that it would come for discussion at the ICC meeting quite soon," Sangakkara said ahead
of their Indian Premier League match against Rajasthan Royals.

ICC to split prez, chairman’s role
Dubai,
April 16
The International Cricket Counil's Executive Board has voted to split the role
of the President and the Chairman as recommended by the contentious independent
governance review headed by Lord Woolf from 2014 onwards. After the second of its scheduled 2012 meetings here this weekend, the ICC's Executive Board has decided to recommend one of the suggestions made by the Woolf report to its annual conference in Kuala Lumpur in June.

Oz struggle on tough pitch
Port of Spain, April
16
Australia reached 208 for five at stumps on the first day of the second Test
against West Indies at Queen's Park Oval, claiming the upper hand on a slow,
gruelling pitch. Mike Hussey, on 26, and Matthew Wade, with 11, were unbeaten at
the close, putting on a useful 30-run unbeaten partnership after both men had
survived dropped catches yesterday. Shane Watson was Australia's top scorer,
making a solid, patient 56.

Rooney’s brace sinks
Aston Villa
London,
April 16
Wayne Rooney fired Manchester United five points clear at the top of the Premier
League as his double inspired a 4-0 rout of Aston Villa at Old Trafford on
Sunday. Rooney opened the scoring with an early penalty and Danny Welbeck
increased United's lead before half-time. England forward Rooney bagged his 31st goal of the season in the second half before Nani's late goal sealed a crucial victory.

Manchester United's Ashley Young appeals for a penalty during their match against Aston Villa in Manchester on Sunday. Manchester United won 4-0. — AFP

Bayern face Real test in Champions League
Munich, April 16
Germany
star Bastian Schweinsteiger has insisted Bayern Munich must make home advantage
count against Real Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League semifinal first-leg.
"It's all or nothing on Tuesday," said the Germany star, with Munich's
Allianz Arena set to also host this year's Champions League final on May 19.

Sunaina re-elected to Asian Lawn Bowls body
New Delhi, April 16
Sunaina Kumari, president of the Bowling Federation of India, has been re-elected as the vice-president of the Asian Lawn Bowls Federation (ALBF) for a second consecutive term. Sunaina, who is the daughter of Indian Olympic Association secretary-general Raja Randhir Singh, said the Asian body has allotted the 10th Asian Lawn Bowls Championship-2013 to India.

Paddlers leave for Olympic qualifier
Patiala, April 16
Six-member Indian squad led by Sharath Kamal is leaving the country tonight for
the Asian Continental Olympic Qualifying Tournament that will be held at Hong
Kong from April 19 to 22. While Commonwealth Games silver medalist Poulami
Ghattak, Ankita Das and K Shamini will compete in women’s section, Arjuna
Awardee Sharath Kamal, Amar Raj and Soumyaljit Ghosh will take part in men’s
category.

Bangalore, April 16
The middle-order's tendency to collapse and the lack of fifth bowler are the two areas of concerns for Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of their Indian Premier League match against Pune Warriors here tomorrow.

After the win against Delhi Daredevils, things haven't been going quite well for RCB skipper Daniel Vettori as his team lost three matches in a row.

The Kiwi is yet to find a pill which could get rid of his headache of filling up the fifth bowler's slot. The middle-order, especially the Indian batsmen Virat Kohli, Saurabh Tiwary and Cheteshwar Pujara have not been firing on all cylinders on a consistent basis.

The lack of fifth bowler in the side has been used to the hilt by oppositions.

The RCB fans not only saw this against Chennai Super Kings, but in yesterday's game against Rajasthan Royals who plundered over 100 runs in the last six overs.

Vettori, however, was hoping Chris Gayle to play a part as a fifth bowler to either take wickets or contain runs. But the West Indian could not live up to his expectations after he conceded 21 runs in his only over last night. The time is probably ripe for mercurial Sri Lankan opener Tillakratne Dilshan to get a chance against the Warriors
tomorrow.

Steve Smith played a crucial knock in Pune’s last win.

Even more, Vettori is very much concerned about the middle-order collapse in all the matches, except the opening game against DD in which South African AB de Villiers rescued the team with a flamboyant 60.

The Indian batsmen would like to put their hands up and consolidate upon solid starts. Virat Kohli has looked good, but has not capitalised on the starts. He would look to reverse the trend against the Warriors.

Vettori, for a change, would like to turn the tables on Pune by opting to bat first -- provided he wins the toss -- on a strip, which he thinks, would help the batsmen and make life difficult for the team chasing. On the other hand, though the Warriors are missing the services of key players like Yuvraj Singh and Graeme Smith, the current skipper and former India captain Sourav Ganguly has been inspiring the team in this edition of the IPL.

Under his leadership, they have lost just one match, against Kings XI Punjab, but decimated Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings convincingly. The team is placed second in points table. Pune would be hoping to continue their winning ways. The Sahara-owned team is capable of finishing on top of the points table as it has quality players at its disposal.Robin Uthappa, Jesse Ryder, Steven Smith and Marlon Samuels have fared well in this year's IPL so far.
— PTI

Jaipur, April 16
Back on home turf after a comprehensive victory in their previous match, Rajasthan Royals would start firm favourites when they take on the struggling Deccan Chargers in an IPL match here
tomorrow.

Riding on Ajinkya Rahane's unbeaten hundred and Owais Shah's blazing fifty, Rajasthan beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 59 runs in Bangalore last night to recover from back-to-back losses in Kolkata and Mumbai.

The biggest positive to be drawn from last night's win was the cracking form of Rahane and Shah.

Champions of the inaugural IPL, Rajasthan have also benefitted from the experience of their captain Rahul Dravid, who has filled in the void left by Shane Warne quite commendably so far.

Rahane, the orange cap holder for the moment, has been the pick of the batsmen and has emerged as the only centurion so far in the current edition of the IPL. The 23-year-old impressed with his shot-selection and temperament last night.

Shah, too, has been outstanding and has delivered when the situation has demanded as far as accelerating the run rate is concerned.

Dravid has also been able to forge good opening partnerships with Rahane so far while the rest of the batting comprising Ashok Menaria and Brad Hodge have been Impressive. Their bowling line-up, which is devoid of any big names, has also been consistent. Medium pacers like Sidhartha Trivedi, Amit Singh, Kevon Cooper and Pankaj Singh have taken their chances.

On the other hand, Deccan Chargers seems to be a team in disarray as they have lost both their matches and their batsmen like Parthiv Patel, skipper Kumar Sangakkara, Cameron White, Darren Bravo and Shikhar Dhawan have not been able to convert good starts into long innings.

As far as bowling is concerned, South African quickie Dale Styen has been impressive but others like Manpreet Gony, Daniel Christian as well as spinners Amit Mishra have been unable to stem the run flow at crucial junctures.

The slight drizzles in past couple of days has made the weather a little humid but while hosts would looking to carry on their winning streak, the visitors who are languishing at the bottom of the table would be aiming to put their act together.
— PTI

Mumbai, April 16
Delhi Daredevils shot to the top of the table with a really comfortable seven-wicket win against Mumbai Indians in their Indian Premier League clash at the Wankhede Stadium tonight. Chasing a paltry 93 for a win, Delhi went about their business with ease as Virender Sehwag scored 32 and Mahela Jayawardene got to 17. Not much was anyways required as the total was always within their reach.

Earlier, batting recklessly and without much purpose, Mumbai Indians collapsed in a heap for a meagre 92 in 19.2 overs. Sent in to bat, MI had lost half their side within the first 10 overs, results of either rash shots or poor running between the wickets.

The hosts then recovered somewhat through a belligerent knock of 33 off just 22 balls with five fours and a six from skipper Harbhajan Singh, but the final tally looked well below par for the course. It was also their second-lowest in IPL history, a shade better than the 87 all out against Kings XI Punjab last year at Mohali.

In the top order, only Rohit Sharma contributed with a chancy 29 in 27 balls with five fours while the others fell for single digit scores, including last match's man of the match Kieron Pollard who was out for a 3-ball 1.

For the Daredevils, who came here after hammering last year's winners Chennai Super Kings at home, the wickets were shared by their impressive bowling attack.
— Agencies

Jaipur, April 16
Deccan Chargers skipper Kumar Sangakkara says it requires "exceptional skill" to execute the switch-hit and he is certain that the much talked-about controversial shot will soon be up for discussion in the ICC meetings.
"I feel it requires exceptional skill to play and perfect that shot. It is not Kevin Petersen of England but many others too who play the switch-hit.

"Remember David Warner also played such shot against the Indians. It needs a lot of skill to play that but I am sure that it would come for discussion at the ICC meeting quite soon," Sangakkara said ahead
of their Indian Premier League match against Rajasthan Royals.

Asked about the low-scoring but close matches in this edition of the IPL, the Sri Lankan said it was the fifth year of the tournament and the bowlers have learnt to defend low totals.

"It is the fifth year of IPL and bowlers have learnt to defend low scores. It is more about the wickets, which are low and slow. Perhaps when the wickets become flat the bowlers will have to come out with new strategies. These are interesting times for cricket and many new things are coming up," he said.

Talking about the back-to-back losses in their first two matches, Sangakkara said that his side was having the right balance to challenge other teams.

"It was unfortunate to lose both the matches as we too had our moments. Eighteen were needed in the last over but we could not defend. Perhaps we were 15 run short.

"But we have the right balance and the ability to challenge the other teams. I am happy with the manner in which we fought in those matches."

When asked about the long break after their previous match on April 9, the Deccan Chargers captain said that the it works in two ways.

"We were up against two good teams and there was a long break which works in two ways. First it gives you the opportunity to watch other teams play and secondly it gives you time to work on your weaknesses.

"We have done both and I believe we have the right overseas and domestic players' balance to come back strongly." Not reading much into Ajinkya Rahane's splendid ton against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sangakkara said that it not necessary to work out a special for the batsman.
— PTI

Dubai, April 16
The International Cricket Counil's Executive Board has voted to split the role of the President and the Chairman as recommended by the contentious independent governance review headed by Lord Woolf from 2014 onwards.

After the second of its scheduled 2012 meetings here this weekend, the ICC's Executive Board has decided to recommend one of the suggestions made by the Woolf report to its annual conference in Kuala Lumpur in June.

"Following a Board resolution agreed at the last meeting, the directors confirmed the necessary amendments to the constitution to split the role of the ICC President and Chairman of the Board," the ICC said in a statement.

"The amended Articles will now be placed before the ICC Annual Conference in Kuala Lumpur at the end of June for consideration and approval," it added.

"Having considered several options to deal constructively with the Woolf Report, the ICC Board agreed that, in the first instance, there was a real need for further discussion among the Directors and Members in an effort to build consensus.

"In addition to already agreeing the split to the President/Chairman's role and creating targeted funding for Members in line with the Woolf recommendations, the Directors were keen to begin discussion among themselves to develop a clearer understanding of the role of the ICC." If the recommendations are implemented, the role of the ICC President will be reformed after the Annual Conference in 2014 to separate the Chairman of the Board position from that of the ICC President.

"Until then, the current roles for the ICC President and Vice president will remain, after which the Vice-Presidency will cease to exist and a new Chairman of the Board post created," the ICC stated.

The term of office for the new ceremonial role for the President will be one year and will rotate, as it currently does, among the members. The President will not be a voting member of the Board.

The Chairman, who will be appointed by the Board for a maximum of six years (three x two year terms) will also be non-voting.
— PTI

Australia’s Mike Hussey is unbeaten on 26 after Day 1 of the second Test against West Indies.

Port of Spain, April 16
Australia reached 208 for five at stumps on the first day of the second Test against West Indies at Queen's Park Oval, claiming the upper hand on a slow, gruelling pitch. Mike Hussey, on 26, and Matthew Wade, with 11, were unbeaten at the close, putting on a useful 30-run unbeaten partnership after both men had survived dropped catches yesterday. Shane Watson was Australia's top scorer, making a solid, patient 56.

Australia, who won the first Test in Barbados by three wickets, decided to play two spinners for the first time in nearly four years, with Michael Beer coming in to partner Nathan Lyon.

West Indies named off-spinner Shane Shillingford, who came in for Devendra Bishoo, who had disappointed in Barbados.

Openers David Warner (29) and Ed Cowan (28) put on 53 for the first wicket to provide the foundation for Australia, while seamer Kemar Roach was the pick of the West Indies seam attack. He removed Cowan and Ricky Ponting (seven) before the tea interval.

Shillingford bowled the first over of spin in the match in the 15th over and had immediate success. Warner did not quite get to the pitch of his fifth ball but continued through with a drive and the ball came off the outside edge straight to skipper Darren Sammy at slip. Shillingford, back in the team after undergoing remedial work on his action, continued to bowl a tight spell and only conceded six runs from his first four overs.

Roach, who had opened the bowling from the Media Centre End, was brought back by Sammy at the Brian Lara Pavilion End for a couple of overs before lunch. The third ball of his new spell hit Cowan low on the front pad and despite a review, the opener was on his way back to the pavilion. Australia went to lunch on 74 for two, having lost both of their openers. In the sixth over after the break, Roach took his second wicket.
— AFP

London, April 16
Wayne Rooney fired Manchester United five points clear at the top of the Premier League as his double inspired a 4-0 rout of Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday. Rooney opened the scoring with an early penalty and Danny Welbeck increased United's lead before half-time.

England forward Rooney bagged his 31st goal of the season in the second half before Nani's late goal sealed a crucial victory. Thanks to Rooney's brace, Sir Alex Ferguson's men were able to reestablish a significant lead over title rivals Manchester City with four games left to play.

After their shock midweek defeat at
Wigan, and City's 6-1 demolition of Norwich on Saturday, this was the perfect response from United. "Wednesday was a blip, we just didn't turn up but today we put in a good performance," said United defender Rio Ferdinand.

"We weren't thinking about City's result. The pressure is always on us, from within, from the fans, the manager, the pressure to win is always there.

"We played some good football today with some nice one-touch football. We want to win every game. We don't care where we win the title -- it could be in the garden, as long as we win it."

Sunday's win, however, came laced with controversy. Last Sunday, United winger Ashley Young earned a penalty and got QPR's Shaun Derry sent off in process when he fell under minimal contact from the midfielder in a 2-0 win.

And the England international was involved in another controversial incident against Villa when he appeared to exaggerate his fall after Ciaran Clark stuck out his leg in the penalty area in the seventh minute. Referee Mark Halsey gave the penalty and Rooney calmly stroked home the spot-kick.

The champions increased their lead in the 43rd minute when Welbeck slid in to score after Villa defenders James Collins and Nathan Baker failed to clear Patrice Evra's low cross.
— AFP

Munich, April 16
Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger has insisted Bayern Munich must make home advantage count against Real Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League semifinal first-leg. "It's all or nothing on Tuesday," said the Germany star, with Munich's Allianz Arena set to also host this year's Champions League final on May 19. "We have to go to the limits and beyond, but we can do it with our fans behind us. "It won't be easy, and it comes down to mental strength. I hope we show that mentality which is a Bayern trademark."

Real warmed up for Munich with a 3-1 win over Spanish league strugglers Sporting Gijon on Saturday with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring his 41st league goal of the season, a record achievement currently matched only by Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

In contrast, Bayern were held to a goalless draw in Munich by mid-table Mainz which effectively handed the German league title to Borussia Dortmund with Bayern eight points behind with three games left. Coach Jupp Heynckes, who took Real Madrid to the 1998 European title, paid the price for resting his stars with captain Philipp Lahm, midfielder Thomas Mueller, wing Franck Ribery and striker Mario Gomez all starting on the bench.
— AFP

New Delhi, April 16
Sunaina Kumari, president of the Bowling Federation of India, has been re-elected as the vice-president of the Asian Lawn Bowls Federation (ALBF) for a second consecutive term. Sunaina, who is the daughter of Indian Olympic Association secretary-general Raja Randhir Singh, said the Asian body has allotted the 10th Asian Lawn Bowls Championship-2013 to India.

The biennial board of governors of the ALBF was held at Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur during the 9th Asian Lawn Bowls Championship held from April 6 to 11.A 14-member Indian team participated in the championship, in which Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the UAE also participated.

Sunaina said the Indian women players made history when every member of the squad clinched a medal. In the pairs’ event, Manu Pal and Kavita won the silver while in the triple event, the team of Pinki, Farzana and Lovely Chaubey annexed the silver, defeating Thailand. In the women fours, Pinki, Farzana, Kavita and Manu Pal defeated China to lift the bronze.

In the Under-25 category, Nain Muni Saikia won the gold, beating a Malaysian player while Tania Chaudhary bagged the bronze.

Patiala, April 16
Six-member Indian squad led by Sharath Kamal is leaving the country tonight for the Asian Continental Olympic Qualifying Tournament that will be held at Hong Kong from April 19 to 22. While Commonwealth Games silver medalist Poulami Ghattak, Ankita Das and K Shamini will compete in women’s section, Arjuna Awardee Sharath Kamal, Amar Raj and Soumyaljit Ghosh will take part in men’s category.

Talking to The Tribune, chief coach of Indian Table Tennis team Bhawani Mukherjee said after a successful fete in the 20th Asian Table Tennis Championship that was held at Macau from February 23 to March 1, the Indian players are on a new high and we are hoping for good results. "With seven slots available in men and women section, the chances of their qualification are very bright," added the coach.

Admitting that it was a very crucial tournament, Mukherjee said the players from 14 countries will be competing in this tournament but I am hopeful that they will manage to grab at least one slot in both men and women categories.